If you’ve got an early flight, not only is it a far more civilised and convenient option to stay at the airport the night before, it can often cost just a few pound more. And the rooms are even sound-proofed.

Family breaks taken during school holidays cost more than those taken in term time and the issue is causing a big stir once more. So if you don't want to take the children out of class, how can you minimise the cost of travel during peak periods?

What went right in 2013? The lifting of heavy roaming charges, flight delay compensation and the ability to book Eurostar six months in advance...Fred Mawer looks at the ups - and some downs - of the year about to pass.

Skating at the Rockefeller Center, Europe's gluhwein-soaked Christmas markets, Santa in Lapland... as the season of goodwill approaches, how are you going to get into the spirit? Fred Mawer looks at the top websites for planning a Christmas break.

Sick of enduring the seat pocket in your knees on a long haul flight? There has to be a way to outwit ropey seat pitches and rubbish service on airlines, right? Fred Mawer - aka Mr Crafty Traveller - offers his advice.

Don't mourn the loss of summer, embrace the next season along with a spot of autum leaf admiring - or 'leaf-peeping' as our friends across the pond call it. Here, Fred Mawer picks six websites to help you find your perfect woodland.

It may well be time for a sea-change in the way we get our luggage to our holiday destination. As hold fees get higher, more and more people are turning to door-to-door courier services. Fred Mawer investigates...

When Fred Mawer aka The Crafty Traveller and his family headed to Italy, he did his homework and pre-booked tours well in advance. In the height of the Italian summer, it proved to be a stroke of genius.

Thanks to the current heatwave, lots of families have decided to remain in Britain over the school holidays. But many of us leave booking until the last minute, which means that you can still find lots of properties on offer.